Philippine Journal of Science
150 (1): 257-261, February 2021
ISSN 0031 – 7683
Date Received: 20 Jul 2020
Evaluation of the Influence of Thoron
on Portable Radon Measurement Devices
Kazuki Iwaoka1*, Ryoju Negami2, Yuki Tamakuma2, Masahiro Hosoda2,
Lorna Jean H. Palad3, Shinji Tokonami2, Chitho P. Feliciano3, and Reiko Kanda1
1National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Sciences and Technology
4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba 263-8555 Japan
2Hirosaki University, 66-1 Honcho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564 Japan
3Health Physics Research Section, Atomic Research Division
Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Nuclear Research Institute
Commonwealth Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City 1101 Philippines
*Corresponding author: iwaoka.kazuki@qst.go.jp
ABSTRACT
Radiation exposure due to 222Rn is recognized as a matter of international concern for its health risk to humans. Portable devices for 222Rn concentration measurements, which are user-friendly, can be easily installed and provides a direct readout of values of 222Rn concentration on the built-in LCD (liquid-crystal display) and internal storage. However, there is a possibility that 220Rn can influence experiments for 222Rn measurement because of some similarity in their element properties. In this preliminary study, the influence of 220Rn on the performance of two commercial portable devices for 222Rn measurements was investigated. It was found that the indicated value for radon concentration in these devices could be affected by the presence of thoron gas.